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Central Illinois unemployment down slightly
By Scott Miller
Scottmiller@pantagraph.com
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BLOOMINGTON -- Unemployment dipped slightly throughout Central Illinois in July, according to a report released this week by the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

McLean County tied with Moultrie County for the state’s fifth-lowest jobless rate at 3.9 percent, down from 4 percent in June, but the drop was relatively insignificant.

“There was just very, very little change over the month,” said IDES analyst Norman Kelewitz.

Over the year, McLean County added 700 new jobs, mostly in business and professional services, according to IDES figures, but the unemployment rate still grew slightly from 3.8 percent in July 2006.

“When the economy is good, people who weren’t looking (for work) before are drawn to the labor market because they feel they have a better chance of finding work,” Kelewitz said.

Still, other indicators suggest McLean County’s economy has stalled slightly. Twin City homes sales were down 10 percent through the first six months of the year, according to figures from the Bloomington-Normal Association of Realtors.

Economic activity in McLean County declined 0.33 percent from the fourth quarter of 2006 to the first quarter of 2007, according to the first economic index released by the Economic Development Council of the Bloomington-Normal Area and the Stevenson Center for Community and Economic Development at Illinois State University. The index measures unemployment, jobs by sector, manufacturing activity and traffic at the Central Illinois Regional Airport.

In July unemployment throughout Central Illinois, Woodford County’s jobless rate dropped to 3.5 percent, from 3.6 percent in June.

DeWitt County unemployment decreased to 4.9 percent, from 5.1 percent in June.

Unemployment dropped from 4.9 percent to 4.6 percent in Ford County in July.

LaSalle County unemployment fell from 5.8 percent in June to 5.6 percent in July.

The jobless rate in Livingston County hit 4.6 percent in July, up from 4.5 percent in June.

Logan County unemployment remained flat, at 5 percent in July.

The jobless rate in Tazewell County increased slightly to 4.4 percent, from 4.3 percent in June.

Nationally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a July jobless rate of 4.6 percent, up from June unemployment of 4.5 percent.

In Illinois, statewide unemployment increased to 5.2 percent in July, from 5.1 percent in June.

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Reader comments on this story - 5 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

"to T" responds wrote on Aug 25, 2007 6:01 PM:

" I don't know that I consider myself rich, but I have done very well financially. I never wanted to start my own business, but I have worked hard to succeed in my profession and I have always lived well within my means. That formula has worked for me and I recommend it to others. Starting a business can be a great way to succeed, but it's not the only way. It is possible to do very well on a paycheck, and I consider myself proof of that. Good luck to you. "

Bromenn wrote on Aug 25, 2007 2:59 PM:

" Bromenn people must have left town... "

to to T wrote on Aug 25, 2007 2:59 PM:

" I love you wannabe millionaires! If it was so easy, why aren't you rich? "

to T wrote on Aug 24, 2007 4:52 PM:

" Yes, I am proud that our nation has the best economic system of any country in the world. I don't know about new opportunities, but the same ones are there that have been around for years. So, stop whining and get a job or start your own business and maybe you'll get rich. "

T wrote on Aug 24, 2007 2:52 PM:

" And your proud of this? What new opportunities are there out there? "
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